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New USB Controlled, Microwave and Millimeter Wave Components Introduced

Pasternack has released new USB controlled RF amplifiers, attenuators, and PIN diode switches that cover extremely wide frequency bands up to 40 GHz.
Photo courtesy of PRNewswire/Pasternack.

IRVINE, Calif.—Pasternack, a prominent manufacturer and supplier of RF, microwave, and millimeter wave products, recently released its new lines of USB controlled microwave and millimeter wave components that include amplifiers, attenuators, and PIN diode switches.

According to company representatives, the new components are controlled and powered by a convenient USB 2.0 port with driverless installation, so no external power supply is required. The attenuators and PIN diode switches require an easy-to-use downloadable software program, which interfaces with any Windows computer. Pasternack (www.pasternack.com) is releasing two models each of the amplifiers, switches, and attenuators that cover extremely wide frequency bands up to 40 GHz. The modules are 50 Ohm hybrid MIC designs that do not require any external matching components.

Pasternack’s new USB controlled amplifiers are said to offer typical performance of 12 dB gain, 10 dBm P1dB, and a 4.5 dB noise figure, and operate over a 50 MHz to 18 GHz band or 50 MHz to 40 GHz band. The attenuators offer typical performance of 30 dB attenuation, 5 to 8 dB of insertion loss, a 1 dB step size, and are available in two programmable models that cover 100 MHz to 18 GHz and 100 MHz to 40 GHz.

Lastly, the SPDT switches are reported to offer typical performance 3 to 5 dB of insertion loss, 65 to 70 dB isolation, a 6 µsec switching speed, and are available in two models that cover 500 MHz to 18 GHz and 500 MHz to 40 GHz. All models operate over a broad temperature range of -40°C to +85°C and, depending on the frequency, are available with either female SMA or 2.92mm connectors, the manufacturer says.

“Pasternack now offers a complete selection of high performance broadband USB controlled amplifiers, attenuators, and switches,” said Tim Galla, active RF components product manager at Pasternack, in a company release. “The USB 2.0 connection is convenient and innovative, utilizing a computer interface to power and control these devices for ease of use.”